The Chico State Wildcats’ baseball team continues scorching, beating the Stanislaus State Warriors twice in a three-game series.
Riding the momentum from sweeping the Mountain Lions, the Wildcats looked to win their third consecutive series against the Warriors.
The ’Cats’ took the first two games of the series with scores of 10-8 and 3-1. They were unable to secure the sweep, as the Warriors took the series finale 7-1.
Game 1: February 27, 2 p.m.
The Warriors struck early against the ’Cats junior right-handed pitcher, Thomas Meyer, putting up two runs in the first inning. Junior outfielder Mason Kelley started the scoring for the Warriors with a double to left field. Senior first baseman Austin Sargent grounded out to score the Warriors’ second run, making the score 2-0.
The ’Cats started their scoring in the second inning when junior infielder Brady Ranallo hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring junior infielder Michael Baker.
Looking to score more and take the lead, the ’Cats added six runs in the third inning. Senior first baseman Jesse Gadd singled to right to score two, and junior outfielder Ryan Melton singled to left center to score two more. The ’Cats capped off the third with a Ranallo double to score another two runs, making the score 7-2.
The Warriors responded with two runs in the fourth inning as junior first baseman Kian Sanchez doubled to left center to make the score 7-4.
The ’Cats added insurance in the fourth inning as they put up three more runs. Gadd doubled down the left field line to score senior utility Keoni Coloma. Junior infielder Jackson Snitko singled to left-center to score Gadd, and Melton added a run with a fielder’s choice to make the score 10-4.
Despite the big lead, the Warriors fought back.
Senior catcher Chase Wilson singled to left field to score Kelley. Junior outfielder Cameron Taylor scored Sargent on a groundout, and senior outfielder Jacob Reyes added a run to make the score 10-7.
The Warriors would add one more run in the ninth inning, but the ’Cats secured the win 10-8.
Ranallo’s spectacular defense assisted his offense when he was struggling, and he credits his team for helping him through the rough times.
“Definitely my teammates just helping me out through the ups and downs, talking me through the mental part of the game,” Ranallo said.
Game 2: February 28, noon
Looking to secure the series win, the ’Cats turned to freshman right-handed pitcher Jack Tews.
The ’Cats would be the first team to strike as Snitko grounded out to second base to score sophomore outfielder Myles Walton in the first inning and make the score 1-0.
Neither team was able to generate much offense the rest of the game, as Tews and the Warriors’ junior right-handed pitcher, Payton Hawkins, had a fantastic pitching duel.
The Warriors got on the board in the eighth inning as senior infielder Shane Callison executed a sacrifice bunt to score senior outfielder Eli Hancock and tie the game at 1-1.
The ’Cats were unfazed by the late tie as Coloma singled to right field to score freshman infielder Myles Cooper, taking the lead back. Snitko added another run with a groundout to score Walton as the ’Cats won 3-1 and took the series.
Tews went seven innings and allowed zero runs on only three hits.
He felt that relying on his fastball and using his two best pitches helped him succeed.
“I was just putting the fastball in the zone, and they’re getting themselves out,” Tews said. “Just sat there, only two pitches really the whole game, and just was working. Kept it rolling.”
Game 3: February 28, 3 p.m.
Going for their second consecutive sweep, the ’Cats turned to senior right-handed pitcher Rocco Borrelli.
The Warriors struck first in the third as Wilson singled to shortstop to score a run and give the Warriors the lead 1-0.
The ’Cats would get on the board in the fourth inning as Baker scored on a throwing error to tie the game at 1-1.
The lead wouldn’t last long for the ’Cats as Sanchez crushed a 0-1 pitch over the left field fence. Sanchez’s third home run of the season gave the Warriors the lead 2-1.
Unfortunately, the ’Cats couldn’t come back as things unraveled in the seventh inning, when the Warriors put up five runs to take the victory 7-1.
The ’Cats begin conference play next week, but Ranallo believes work needs to be done first.
“I think putting the little things together and working as a unit,” Ranallo said.
The ’Cats have been hot at the plate in the last three series, and Ranallo hopes to carry it into conference play next week.
“Just keep doing what we’re doing,” Ranallo said. “Grind along at bats, take the free base as we can, and just keep working hard.”
Tews also believes he needs to carry his outstanding pitching into conference play by doing what’s been working for him.
“Just continue doing what we’re doing, working every day, “ Tews said. “Get my throws in and everything, just preparing the same way we have been.”
Despite the intensity of conference play starting next week, the ’Cats are ready for the competition.
“I’d say that the guys are excited,” Tews said. “We’re excited to play those competitive teams and see what we can do out there.”
The ’Cats begin CCAA conference play next week with a four-game series at Nettleton Stadium against Cal State Dominguez Hills, starting on Friday at 2 p.m.
Nettleton Stadium grants free entry with a Chico State student ID card or a student’s Canvas home page.
For information about all Chico State athletics or to keep up with the game live, visit the Wildcat home page, or watch through FloSports.
Jamison Leung can be reached at [email protected]
